Our Curriculum
Who We Are
The Academy for American Democracy is a fully interactive series of civics and history lessons designed to engage young people in the core principles of democracy. These curriculum materials are based on a museum residency program for sixth grade students that has been held at The New York Historical since 2019. The materials on this website are intended to promote recreating this immersive experience for a wide variety of grades all across the United States. Over the course of four days, students are invited to study the origins of democracy in ancient Athens, the reimagining of democracy put forth by the framers of the US Constitution, and the way US democracy has continued to change and evolve to meet the shifting needs of its diverse population. Students have the opportunity to analyze ancient texts and role play government decision-making processes, making the experience more like a camp than a typical day at school. The intent is to allow students to fully immerse themselves in the study of democracy, sparking a lifelong interest in civics and political participation that will prepare them to face the challenges inherent in being an active citizen in the 21st-century United States.
The Academy curriculum is divided into four units that each seek to answer a foundational question about the theory and practice democracy. The materials on this website will enable you to recreate The Academy in your classroom or school community. In acknowledgement of the fact that not every school will be able to dedicate four full school days to completing the program, the lessons are written in such a way that they can also be delivered in a single class periods over a span of weeks. Each lesson includes a PowerPoint, printouts and worksheets for students, a background essay for educators to provide all the historical context you need to deliver the lessons with confidence, and an optional script to provide some guidance on how to engage with these materials with your students. We encourage you to fully commit to the bit, and maybe even invest a bit in some simple costuming to make the whole experience come alive. As the final unit details, democracy requires an active and informed citizenry to thrive, and students learn best when they are having fun doing it. Thank you for learning more about The Academy, and for all that you do to raise the next generation of citizens of the United States.
- Unit 1What is Democracy?
Students learn what a government is and determine the meaning of democracy.
- Unit 2How does Democracy work?
Students role play to explore the differences between direct and representative democracy.
- Unit 3How do you make change in a Democracy?
Students discover the limitations of Athenian democracy and explore activism in the US.
- Unit 4What does Democracy need?
Students determine what democracy needs to thrive and become active participants in US democracy.
Civic Standards
The Academy for American Democracy aligns with the Educating for American Democracy Roadmap